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When someone talks about hiking boots, I’m sure many of you picture bulky, heavy, dark brown, leather boots. Right? Well, that is the sort of image I once pictured when I thought of these sort of boots. What if I were to tell you that that image is actually not accurate anymore? Further, what if I told you that there are vegan hiking boots? Yes, vegan: meaning no animal products were used at all in the making of these boots. Well, get ready for this readers, because vegan, non-leather hiking boots do exist! I know what some of you are thinking, “How can non-leather hiking boots be durable and reliable on long trips?” Well, I asked myself the same question as I was searching for my vegan boots. But in reality vegan boots do exist and they are durable, have good support, are long lasting, and vegans and non-vegans alike have claimed to love them.

How I found my boots:

I searched and searched the internet with little avail. All the boots I found online were less than desirable. So, I decided to take a trip to a nearby REI store. After looking through all the women’s hiking boots and speaking with an REI employee, they informed me that they did not have any “non-leather” boots in their store. They did however, give me a few websites that had non-leather boots. When I returned home and visited the sites I was given, I found that all of the boots I saw were for men! Though frustrated, I kept looking on the internet and I came across a Backpacker Magazine article that titled Editors’ choice 2013: Zamberlan 230 SH Crosser Plus GTX RR Boots which were made up of only man-made materials. I quickly searched for a women’s version of these said boots, with success! I quickly ordered them after some research; I found out that they were made up of gore-tex waterproof material, and they had corder nylon uppers. After getting the boots, I took them out on a 15 mile hike, where my feet felt completely supported and comfortable. I broke the shoes in to prepare them for my trip then set them aside, since I do not want to wear them out too much before my pilgrimage! The only issue I have with these shoes is that I never want to take them off, not ever, even when inside!

My amazing hiking boots:

I am so happy with my purchase. I can’t wait to wear them every day on the Camino!